When Leaders Become Caregivers: Family Crisis, Boundaries & Hard Decisions

Take Back Your Power After a Forced Career Pivot | Cathy Duffy

What happens when the career you've spent decades building suddenly ends? In this special re-release of one of Leadership Tea's most impactful conversations, executive leader Cathy Duffy shares how being unexpectedly pushed into early retirement became the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson explore identity, leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to take your power back after a forced career pivot. If you're navigating layoffs, organizational change, or questioning what's next in your own career, this episode offers practical leadership lessons that feel especially relevant today. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307270/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/LeadershipTeaPodcast/gift] We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. * Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast [https://leadershiptea.buzzsprout.com/2307270/follow] * Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTeaPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea [https://www.instagram.com/leadership_tea/]for more inspiration and insights.

When the Career You Loved Ends: Rebuilding After a Layoff

After nearly three decades of public service, Shelby shares her experience navigating a Reduction in Force (RIF), the grief that follows career loss, and the challenge of rebuilding professional identity after an unexpected transition. In this candid coaching conversation, Belinda and Shelby explore what it means to process professional grief, move forward without bitterness, and build confidence in the face of uncertainty. They discuss leadership during difficult seasons, the importance of community, and why resilience often begins by remembering the challenges you've already survived. In this episode: * Professional grief and career loss * Leadership during personal transition * Rebuilding confidence after a layoff * Identity shifts and reinvention * Coaching, therapy, and resilience * Faith, community, and healing * Moving from reflection to action If you're navigating a career transition, organizational change, retirement, or an unexpected life pivot, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for the road ahead. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307270/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/LeadershipTeaPodcast/gift] We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. * Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast [https://leadershiptea.buzzsprout.com/2307270/follow] * Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTeaPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea [https://www.instagram.com/leadership_tea/]for more inspiration and insights.

When Leaders Become Caregivers: Family Crisis, Boundaries & Hard Decisions

Leadership often means making difficult decisions, staying calm under pressure, and showing up for others. But what happens when the hardest leadership challenge isn't at work, it's at home? In this episode, Shelby and Belinda sit down with former diplomat and operations leader Brittany Carroll to discuss becoming a caregiver for her father while managing a demanding professional career. Together, they explore: * Leadership during personal crisis * Caregiving and aging parents * Difficult family conversations * Workplace flexibility and employee support * Boundaries, resilience, and decision-making * Financial and legal preparedness * The hidden challenges many professionals face outside the office Whether you're a leader supporting employees through difficult seasons, caring for a loved one yourself, or simply preparing for the future, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful leadership lessons about navigating life's most complex responsibilities. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: * One 60-minute coaching session per month * Priority access to our calendar * One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com [hello@stirringsuccess.com], and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307270/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/LeadershipTeaPodcast/gift] We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. * Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast [https://leadershiptea.buzzsprout.com/2307270/follow] * Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTeaPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea [https://www.instagram.com/leadership_tea/]for more inspiration and insights.

Brewing Purpose: Building a Life-Giving Space from the Ground Up

In this episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby and Belinda sit down with Kahana Samms, founder of Good Spirit Cafe, to discuss reinvention, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building community after uncertainty. After years working in federal IT and cybersecurity, Kahana found herself navigating furloughs, layoffs, and major life transitions, prompting her to rethink stability, purpose, and what it truly means to build a meaningful life.  Together, they discuss: * Entrepreneurship and sacrifice * Building a “third space” for healing and connection * The emotional realities of starting over * Leadership, energy, and authenticity * Creativity as a pathway to purpose * Why community-centered spaces matter now more than ever This conversation is grounding, inspiring, and honest, especially for anyone navigating transition or building something from the heart. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: * One 60-minute coaching session per month * Priority access to our calendar * One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com [hello@stirringsuccess.com], and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307270/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/LeadershipTeaPodcast/gift] We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. * Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast [https://leadershiptea.buzzsprout.com/2307270/follow] * Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTeaPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea [https://www.instagram.com/leadership_tea/]for more inspiration and insights.

Your Employee Was Blindsided by Their Review. That’s On You.

Performance reviews are not just paperwork. They’re a reflection of leadership. In this episode, Shelby and Belinda break down how strong leaders handle employee evaluations, difficult feedback, and accountability conversations without damaging trust or team morale. They discuss: * Why employees should never be surprised by feedback * How to write more specific and actionable evaluations * The difference between performance issues and personality conflicts * Why documentation and HR processes matter * What leaders get wrong about firing employees  Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, this episode offers practical leadership advice for navigating one of the hardest parts of management: evaluating people fairly and effectively. ------------------------------------ Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: * One 60-minute coaching session per month * Priority access to our calendar * One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com [hello@stirringsuccess.com], and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307270/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/LeadershipTeaPodcast/gift] We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. * Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast [https://leadershiptea.buzzsprout.com/2307270/follow] * Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTeaPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea [https://www.instagram.com/leadership_tea/]for more inspiration and insights.